as in intimidated
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
the judge warned the attorney that hectoring the witness with aggressive questioning would not be allowed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cowed
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hectored
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Jason Sudeikis, Robert Smigel, and George Wendt hectored Kelce to (1) make Taylor pony up for a new stadium and (2) propose already.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hectored
Verb
-
While exhibitions are the biggest draw, the site has also welcomed more than 5,000 people to its open days, including 1,600 students from nearby schools who might feel intimidated to step into Chanel’s offices in central Paris.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
-
We will not be intimidated by your threat to engage in mass firings.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After getting bullied in elementary school, his mom, the comic book writer Elaine Lee, homeschooled him.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, this whole jaunt to Flatbush has been a somewhat haunting trip down memory lane for Oliver, who has been having flashbacks of being bullied and judged for his little purple scarf and penchant for the arts.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Not to the extent that the user is necessarily being browbeaten.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There are liberals in media, but the corporations are now either controlled by the right wing or frightened of it.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Family pets, especially dogs, are frightened by the noise and will hide or try to run away.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One answer was to build a Jewish state; the other, to fight for the emancipation of all oppressed people through universalist, often left-wing, politics.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
To One Piece fans, the flag symbolizes Luffy’s quest to chase his dreams, liberate oppressed people, and fight the autocratic World Government.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even some crushed tortilla chips or Fritos on top would be fun.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Campbell wore Burberry’s Dame pump in mahogany brown check with a green crushed velvet suit.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The reportedly downtrodden facility is also where Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is imprisoned.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The group has managed over the years to tie the issue of its weapons to its own identity and the very fate of the once-downtrodden Lebanese Shia community.—
Bilal Y. Saab,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hectored.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hectored. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share